Let the Countdown Begin: Facts and figures about the Revolution’s 2014 schedule

It’s time to get out that 2014 calendar, because you’ve got some dates to circle.

Major League Soccer’s complete 2014 schedule was released on Monday afternoon, and for many fans that means the opportunity to begin planning their lives accordingly from March through October.

Of course here at revolutionsoccer.net we’re primarily concerned with the Revolution’s schedule, which kicks off Saturday, March 8 with a visit to the Houston Dynamo. Fourteen days later the Revs will host the Vancouver Whitecaps in their 2014 home opener on Saturday, March 22. Cue the countdown clocks.

Here are some facts and figures with regards to the Revolution’s 2014 schedule. And just think – after you’re done reading them, you’ll be a few minutes closer to the season opener.

In their 19th season, the Revs will open on the road for the 18th time

While this will be the first time the Revs have ever opened a season in Houston, it will be the second time they’ve kicked off a campaign against the Dynamo – New England hosted Houston in the club’s only season opener at Gillette Stadium on March 29, 2008

The Revs will host Toronto FC in the regular-season finale at Gillette Stadium, marking the 10th time in club history the Revs will close the regular season at home, but the first time since 2008

This will be the third time the Revs have closed the season against Toronto FC, but the first time at home; the Revs previously played to 2-2 draws with TFC in the regular-season finales in 2007 and 2011

The Revolution’s busiest month will be July, with six games scheduled between July 4 and July 30

The Revolution’s lightest month will be June, with just two games scheduled – the result of a league-wide extended break during the 2014 FIFA World Cup

A feature of the unbalanced schedule, the Revs will visit the Houston Dynamo, Montreal Impact, Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC twice each in 2014

The Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City will each visit Gillette Stadium twice in 2014

Beginning March 8, the Revs will play every weekend through June 7, when the league-wide FIFA World Cup break commences with back-to-back bye weekends

Other than the FIFA World Cup break, the Revolution’s only other bye weekend is Aug. 9

The longest home-stand of the season will be from Sept. 3-13, when the Revs will host Sporting Kansas City (Sept. 3), the Chicago Fire (Sept. 7) and Montreal Impact (Sept. 13)

There will likely be just one multi-game road trip – the Revs will visit the LA Galaxy (July 16) and FC Dallas (July 19) with a two-day break in between

The Revs will travel to the Mountain and Pacific time zones just three times in 2014 – they’ll visit the San Jose Earthquakes (March 29), Real Salt Lake (July 4) and LA Galaxy (July 16)

After a two-year break, the Revs will once again play on Independence Day, visiting RSL on July 4 – it will be the second time the Revs have ever visited Salt Lake City on Independence Day

Thoughts on the schedule? Noticing any quirks or trends of your own? Let us know in the comments section.